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BlueTick48 Sun Jun 22, 2008 09:24pm

The Shield
 
Do any of you on here use the "balloon" or "shield" in the summer? I use mine and get alot of,"i haven't seen one of those in years",comments.In MS its a heck of alot cooler than a cp....jw

mick Sun Jun 22, 2008 09:37pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueTick48
Do any of you on here use the "balloon" or "shield" in the summer? I use mine and get alot of,"i haven't seen one of those in years",comments.In MS its a heck of alot cooler than a cp....jw

BlueTick48,
You may wanna rethink how cool they are.

umpduck11 Sun Jun 22, 2008 09:49pm

You have a Japanese Mizuno mask, and you use a raft ??

TussAgee11 Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:29pm

There is a reason these people haven't seen those in years. Take a hint...

IceGator8 Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:53pm

While I think they look weird they were the gold standard for many years. I had a partner (He was from another part of the state and I'd never worked with him before) show up with one a couple of years ago. After I got done rolling my eyes and the game started I realised that he was actually a very good ump.

I learned a lesson that day. I've met a lot of crappy umps who wear a regular cp but the only guy I've worked with who had a life raft was excellent. I'm not judging the book by the cover any more.

mbyron Mon Jun 23, 2008 06:52am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick
BlueTick48,
You may wanna rethink how cool they are.

Hey Mick,

there's cool:
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/im...an-Posters.jpg

and then there's cool:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/...69ed5c02_o.jpg

You two aren't on the same page. ;)

CO ump Mon Jun 23, 2008 04:23pm

Safe or "Cool"
 
One base coach gets hit and now MLB requires helmets and most other leagues are either requiring or considering requiring helmets for adult coaches, defying 100 + years of tradition.

If one umpire takes a 95 + fastball direct to the chest and dies of a heart attack could the "cool" factor and the 30 some odd years of CP tradition be ignored and a revival to safer times be reinstated?

PS
I've never owned or used a balloon, but recognize that they are much safer and probably not near as hot.

After taking an 85mph FB just to the side and below the belly button and a 70 something one in the thigh last week, it wouldn't take much to get me to use one.
But as Billy Crystal used to say on SNL
"It's better to look good than to feel good":D
Insert your own accent.

BretMan Mon Jun 23, 2008 04:28pm

And didn't Billy also say..."I hate when that happens..."? ;)

BlueTick48 Mon Jun 23, 2008 04:48pm

I was just interested to see who on here,if any,use them in the summer.I know a few hs,juco,D1-2 umps use them here in MS.I have a Wilson Plat. i use during the hs-college season.

MrUmpire Mon Jun 23, 2008 05:20pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by CO ump
One base coach gets hit and now MLB requires helmets and most other leagues are either requiring or considering requiring helmets for adult coaches, defying 100 + years of tradition.

No, several base coaches got hit. The motivator was "one base coach gets killed."

Quote:

If one umpire takes a 95 + fastball direct to the chest and dies of a heart attack could the "cool" factor and the 30 some odd years of CP tradition be ignored and a revival to safer times be reinstated?
I have never seen data indicating the raft was protected the heart better than a hard shell inside protector. I don't see any danger of the raft returning.

However, if the insurance companies and the HSH people can prove that concussions can be prevented by wearing Hockey style helmets, you may see those mandated over time.

Klokard Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:02am

I went back to using one in the 12 y/o and under divisions. The new this year Little League rule that prohibits a player from going from pitcher to catcher, as well as the terrible pitch count rule has really increased the amount of balls that get by the catcher. It may not look cool but the protection is superior.

LMan Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:47pm

Maybe so, but you gotta draw the line somewhere.

The optimum safe move is to call from behind the mound. Why not do that?

CO ump Tue Jun 24, 2008 01:49pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMan
Maybe so, but you gotta draw the line somewhere.

The optimum safe move is to call from behind the mound. Why not do that?

Unless you're in full gear behind the mound I would disagree.
With the balloon I'd say behind the catcher is the safest.


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